ONE in five young people in Wales are being bullied or threatened via mobile phones or computer, research revealed yesterday.

The latest advances in technology have served to spread the influence of bullies beyond the playground into their victims' homes..

A survey carried out by the children's charity NCH and Tesco Mobile found 14% of 11-19 year-olds had been bullied or threatened by text message - almost three times more than those harassed over the internet, and four times those bul-lied by email.

New camera phone advances had also led to a new wave of abusive behaviour.

One in 10 victims said they felt threatened or embarrassed by bullying carried out by a camera phone, and some believed the images were also sent to others.

Some 97% of young people say a mobile phone is one of their most treasured possessions.

Patrick Legge from NCH Cymru said: "What was of concern to us was that kind of bul-lying can go on anytime, all of the time, when young people are on their own.

"There is no escape even when they are in their own bedroom, the back seat of the family car, if they have their mobile phone.

"It used to be that bullying took place walking to school, in the playground or youth club, now it can happen anytime, at 11.30pm or in the morning." But the report said: "It can seem like there is no escape. The bullies always have a way of reaching them.

"They can feel trapped, with nowhere to hide and no one they can turn to for help.

"Or they might worry that if they do tell their parents or another adult, their mobile phone will be taken away from them."

An initiative was launched yesterday to help frightened children cope with the bullies.

The charity and the company unveiled an interactive website - www.stoptextbully.com - to give advice and support for young people affected.

Tesco Mobile also announced a text back service to help.

Mobile users text the word Bully to 60000 to receive a message with advice on how to get support. All proceeds from the service will be donated to NCH to tackle mobile bullying.

Very often bullies will dis-guise their numbers from the victim and in some cases they use other people's phones to avoid being caught.

Someone may receive silent calls, abusive messages or their identity may even be stolen and used to harass others, who then think the victim is responsible.

Bullying or threatening messages have been sent through websites using names and phone numbers of people who knew nothing about it.

More than one in 10 young people admit they have sent a bullying or threatening text message to someone else.

More than a quarter of those bullied by mobile phone did not know who was doing it.

A total of 770 11 to 19-year- olds were questioned between March 3 and April 6.

Children's biggest fear

BULLYING is the biggest concern among children seeking help from the charity Childline Cymru.

More than one in five of the 10,966 young people ringing the helpline last year were worried about it.

Ann Pulling from Childline's North Wales office in Rhyl said: "Bullying is still the main reason why children phone us and has been for the last six years.

"We advise them to keep a detailed diary of what is happening and record any abusive emails or text messages and to let a teacher, parent or trusted adult know."

The charity held an open day in Rhyl yesterday to raise public awareness about its work.

Anyone willing to volunteer can contact Childline on 020 7650 6860 or via the internet at www.childline.org.uk